Alan's view of marketing and business spans the rigour of academe and the practical skills of commerce. He has degrees from the London School of Economics and the Schulich School of Business, and today is Assistant Professor of Marketing and Executive Director of Executive Development at the Shulich School of Business at York University. 

His professional experience was hardened in the pitch and toss of international advertising and marketing. With a number of agencies, including J Walter Thompson in London and Japan as CEO, he has led such marquee accounts as Bank of Montreal, Kodak, Pepsi Canada, Ralston Purina, IBM and Samsung. He has consulted and taught throughout the world. Now at Schulich, his special interest is defining the nature of international branding. 

In 2005, Alan was inducted into the Canadian Marketing Hall of Legends, the first of its kind in the Mentor category. He has co-founded the Cassie awards, recognizing effectiveness in Canadian advertising. He is also Chair of ABC Canada Literacy Foundation. 

Professional CV

• 1991 - 2001 Marketing/ Training Consultant to companies such as Bell, Goddards ( West Indies); Manulife Financial; ACNielsen; Nortel (US ) Pfizer Warner-Lambert, Unilever and others
• 1989 - 1991 Executive Vice-President and Board Director, of the global J. Walter Thompson Co. advertising agency, and President/CEO J.Walter Thompson Japan KK
• 1982 - 1989 President, Enterprise Advertising Associates Ltd., Toronto
• 1975 - 1982 Vice President/Client Services Director, J. Walter Thompson, Toronto
• 1968 - 1975 marketing and advertising roles with UOP Inc., Chicago, USA; Esso Petroleum, Oslo, Norway; and J. Walter Thompson London, England.

Leadership achievement

• Inducted into the Marketing Hall of Legends in the 'Mentor' category in January 2005
• Member of AMA, ACR, ASAC.
• Honorary Trustee Executive Committee, Royal Ontario Museum 2002- date; Trustee 1996 - 2002;
• Member Marketing Committee, United Way of Greater Toronto; 1992 - date;
• Board Member, ABC Literacy Foundation 2001 - date, Vice-Chair 2002 - 2003, Chair 2003 - date;
• Chair 'Marketing Magazine' Board of Editorial Advisors 2003- date
• Co-chair Communications Committee, Toronto Financial Services Alliance 2004-date
• Committee Member, Research Committee, Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership 2001- date
• Committee Member, Advisory Committee, Ontario Ministry of Health, 'HealthyOntario.com' 2003- date
• Board Member AIESEC-York University 1997 -, date
• Board Member AIESEC - Canada 2007 - date
• Director, and previously Vice-President, Canada-Japan Society